Solenoid valve for inflation system

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly is provided and includes a valve housing, an actuator housing coupled to the valve housing and configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow through the valve housing and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve includes an armature-valve element balanced to remain in a closed position and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates magnetic flux that moves the armature-valve element into an open position such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing to actuate the actuator housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/486,488 filed Apr. 13, 2017, which claims thebenefit of Indian Application No. 201711005086 filed Feb. 13, 2017, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to inflation systems and,more particularly, to inflation systems with fast acting pressureunbalanced and balanced, plunger-type solenoid valves.

Pneumatic inflation systems often use stored high pressure gas sourcesto inflate an inflatable element. The stored high pressure gas sourcesare normally designed to be discharged within a specified time by theopening of an inflation valve that is normally-closed. Some pneumaticinflation systems, such as those employed in helicopter life rafts andfloats, make use of inflation valves that are actuated by electricalinitiators with explosive materials. Such electrical initiators arecommonly referred to as “electrical squibs” and each one typicallyincludes a valve housing with a linear sliding-type valve element and anactuation housing with a piston seal assembly. An inlet of the inflationvalve is connected to a gas bottle and the fluid pressure force iseffective at the valve element. Energization of the electrical squibinitiator causes an actuator piston to move in the actuator housingwhich in turn initiates an opening movement of the valve element todischarge the high pressure gas from the stored gas bottle to thedownstream inflatable.

Being elements of survival systems, inflation valves such as thosedescribed above do not tend to include or require any return forcingelements. That is, in the initial closed position, the valve elements ofthe inflation valves are retained by actuator piston rod assembledinside the actuation housing, for example, but once the valve is openedby the initiator the opening position is sustained by the fluid inletpressure force acting on the valve poppet. This leads to electricalsquib initiators having certain disadvantages, such as being single shotdevices and having main valve maintainability issues and safetycompliance issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a valve assembly is providedand includes a valve housing, an actuator housing coupled to the valvehousing and configured when actuated to open a normally-closed valveelement in the valve housing whereby pressurized fluid is permitted toflow through the valve housing and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valveincludes an armature-valve element balanced to remain in a closedposition and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates magnetic fluxthat moves the armature-valve element into an open position such that atleast a portion of the pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housingto actuate the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the valvehousing includes the normally-closed valve element and a body having aninlet connectable with a fluid source and an outlet connectable with aninflatable. The body defines a first pathway connecting the fluid sourceand the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element is seated,a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and a thirdpathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is supplied forflow into the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes a solenoid valve housing which is supportive ofthe armature-valve element and the electromagnet and which defines acentral bore and an elastic element to bias the armature-valve elementto remain in the closed position. The elastic element is sized to beoverpowered by electromagnetic forces applied to the armature-valveelement by the magnetic flux.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, thearmature-valve element includes a body, a valve seal at a first end ofthe body and an armature responsive to the magnetic flux generated bythe electromagnet at a second end of the body. The armature includes acentral sliding guide and a flat disk and the magnetic flux crossesfirst and second air gaps to reach the flat disk and applies additiveelectromagnetic forces thereto.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a solenoid valve assemblyis provided. The solenoid valve assembly includes a valve housing towhich a fluid source and an inflatable are connected, an actuatorhousing coupled to the valve housing and configured when actuated toopen a normally-closed valve element in the valve housing wherebypressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source to theinflatable and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuator housing. Thesolenoid valve includes a valve seat, a plunger-type armature-valveelement fluidly communicative with the fluid source and normallypressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative to the valveseat and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates magnetic fluxthat moves the plunger-type armature-valve element into an open positionrelative to the valve seat such that at least a portion of thepressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valve seatto actuate the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the valvehousing includes the normally-closed valve element and a body having aninlet connectable with the fluid source and an outlet connectable withthe inflatable. The body defines a first pathway connecting the fluidsource and the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element isseated, a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and athird pathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is suppliedfor flow into the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes a solenoid valve housing which is supportive ofthe valve seat, the plunger-type armature-valve element and theelectromagnet and which defines a first central bore and an elasticelement to bias the plunger-type armature-valve element toward the valveseat. The elastic element is sized to be overpowered by electromagneticforces applied to the plunger-type armature-valve element by themagnetic flux.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes a solenoid valve housing which is supportive ofthe valve seat, the plunger-type armature-valve element and theelectromagnet and which defines a through-hole penetrated by bypasspiping coupled to the valve housing. The elastic element biases theplunger-type armature-valve element toward the valve seat and is sizedto be overpowered by electromagnetic forces applied to the plunger-typearmature-valve element by the magnetic flux.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes an O-ring seal and a poral filter to permit fluidleakage and to prevent external contamination.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the valve seatdefines a second central bore through which the pressurized fluid flowsinto the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, theplunger-type armature-valve element includes a body, a valve seal at afirst end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with theplunger-type armature-valve element in the closed position and anarmature responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetat a second end of the body. The armature includes a central slidingguide and a flat disk and the magnetic flux crosses first and second airgaps to reach the flat disk and applies additive electromagnetic forcesthereto.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, an inflation systemis provided. The inflation system includes a valve housing, a fluidsource connected to an inlet of the valve housing, an inflatableconnected to an outlet of the valve housing, an actuator housing coupledto the valve housing and configured when actuated to open anormally-closed valve element in the valve housing whereby pressurizedfluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source at the inlet to theinflatable at the outlet and a solenoid valve coupled to the actuatorhousing. The solenoid valve includes a valve seat, a plunger-typearmature-valve element fluidly communicative with the fluid source andnormally pressure balanced to remain in a closed position relative tothe valve seat and an electromagnet. The electromagnet generatesmagnetic flux that moves the plunger-type armature-valve element into anopen position relative to the valve seat such that at least a portion ofthe pressurized fluid flows into the actuator housing through the valveseat to actuate the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the valvehousing includes the normally-closed valve element and a body having aninlet connectable with the fluid source and an outlet connectable withthe inflatable. The body defines a first pathway connecting the fluidsource and the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element isseated, a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and athird pathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is suppliedfor flow into the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the fluidsource is initially charged with the pressurized fluid.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the inflatableincludes an inflatable bladder.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes a solenoid valve housing which is supportive ofthe valve seat, the plunger-type armature-valve element and theelectromagnet and which defines a first central bore and an elasticelement to bias the plunger-type armature-valve element toward the valveseat. The elastic element is sized to be overpowered by electromagneticforces applied to the armature-valve element by the magnetic flux.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes a solenoid valve housing which is supportive ofthe valve seat, the plunger-type armature-valve element and theelectromagnet and which defines a through-hole penetrated by bypasspiping coupled to the valve housing. The elastic element biases theplunger-type armature-valve element toward the valve seat and is sizedto be overpowered by electromagnetic forces applied to the plunger-typearmature-valve element by the magnetic flux.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the solenoidvalve further includes an O-ring seal and a poral filter to permitpressure balancing and venting of O-ring seal leaked fluid and toprevent external contamination.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the valve seatdefines a second central bore through which the pressurized fluid flowsinto the actuator housing.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, theplunger-type armature-valve element includes a body, a valve seal at afirst end of the body to form a seal with the valve seat with theplunger-type armature-valve element in the closed position and anarmature responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the electromagnetat a second end of the body. The armature includes a central slidingguide and a flat disk and the magnetic flux crosses first and second airgaps to reach the flat disk and applies additive electromagnetic forcesthereto.

In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, a controllercontrols when the electromagnet is supplied with current and isconfigured to cease current supply to the electromagnet once theactuator housing is actuated.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe disclosure are apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an inflation system in accordancewith embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a solenoid valve having a disk-type armature ina closed position for use in an inflation system in accordance withembodiments;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of the solenoidvalve of FIG. 2 to illustrate the housing of an electromagnet; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the solenoid valve having the disk-typearmature of FIG. 2 in an open position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a pressure balanced solenoid valvehaving a plunger-type armature in an open position for use in aninflation system in accordance with alternative embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a pressure balanced solenoid valvehaving a pilot-type armature in an open position for use in an inflationsystem in accordance with alternative embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an axial view of the pilot-type armature of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating an inflationsystem in accordance with embodiments.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure,together with advantages and features, by way of example with referenceto the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As will be described below, a fast acting and non-explosive initiator isprovided and can be retro-fitted into an inflation system as areplacement for an electrical squib initiator. The fast acting andnon-explosive electrical initiator is repeatedly usable and provides forconsistent and reliable performance to facilitate the maintenance ofinflation unit. The fast acting and non-explosive electrical initiatorincludes a fast acting and normally-closed pneumatic plunger-type orpilot-type solenoid valve that is receptive of high pressure workingfluid from an inlet of an inflation valve and employs electro-pneumaticaction to admit pneumatic pressurized fluid into an actuator cavity ofan inflation valve with electrical control. The interfacing element isthe fast acting solenoid with either a flat armature that has twoworking air gaps or an armature shaft that has a single working air gap,both of which are designed to meet the actuation time of the inflationvalve.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, an inflation system 10 is provided. Theinflation system 10 includes a valve housing 20 having an inlet 21 andan outlet 22, a fluid source 30 that is connected to the inlet 21, aninflatable element 40 that is connected to the outlet 22, an actuatorhousing 50 and a solenoid valve 60. The inflation system 10 may furtherinclude a controller 70 and a use actuated device 80 both of which willbe described in greater detail below. The actuator housing 50 is coupledto an end of the valve housing 20 opposite the inlet 21 and isconfigured, when actuated, to open or cause to open a normally-closedvalve element 23 that is seated in the valve housing 20 wherebypressurized fluid is permitted to flow from the fluid source 30 at theinlet 21 to the inflatable element 40 at the outlet 22.

The fluid source 30 may be provided as a fluid canister 301 and isinitially charged with the pressurized fluid. The inflatable element 40may be provided as an inflatable bladder 401 or balloon. Therefore, asshown in FIG. 1, as pressurized fluid moves from the fluid source 30 tothe inflatable element 40, a volume of the pressurized fluid in thefluid source 30 is reduced while a volume of the pressurized fluid inthe inflatable element 40 is increased. In accordance with alternativeembodiments, it is to be understood that the volume of at least thefluid source 30 may remain constant or substantially throughout aninflation event. That is, in some case, as pressurized fluid moves fromthe fluid source 30 to the inflatable element 40, a volume of thepressurized fluid in the fluid source 30 remains constant while apressure in its interior decreases and the volume of the pressurizedfluid in the inflatable element 40 increases.

The solenoid valve 60 is coupled to the actuator housing 50 and includesa valve seat 61, an armature-valve element 62 that could be provided,for example, as a plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ (illustratedin FIGS. 2-5) or as a pilot-type armature valve element 62″ (illustratedin FIGS. 6 and 7) and an electromagnet 63. For purposes of clarity andbrevity, it is to be understood that as used herein the term“armature-valve element 62” refers to both the plunger-typearmature-valve element 62′ and the pilot-type armature valve element 62″whereas descriptions of the plunger-type embodiments will include the62′ identifier and descriptions of the pilot-type embodiments willinclude the 62″ identifier.

The armature-valve element 62 is fluidly communicative with the fluidsource 30 by way of bypass piping 64, which is indirectly coupled at afirst end thereof to the fluid source 30 and at a second end thereof tothe solenoid valve 60, and is normally pressure balanced to remain in aclosed position relative to the valve seat 61. The electromagnet 63 maybe supplied with current. In such cases where the electromagnet 63 issupplied with current, the electromagnet 63 generates magnetic flux thatinteracts with the armature-valve element 62 and thus moves thearmature-valve element 62 into an open position relative to the valveseat 61. This in turn allows at least a portion of the pressurized fluidto flow into the actuator housing 60 through the valve seat 61 tothereby actuate the actuator housing 50 to open or cause to open thenormally-closed valve element 23.

The valve housing 20 includes the normally-closed valve element 23 and abody 24. The body 24 is elongate and extends along a longitudinal axisA1 (see FIG. 1) with the inlet 21 at one end and the actuator housing 50being coupled to the other end. The body 24 is formed to define a firstpathway 25, a second pathway 26 and a third pathway 27. The firstpathway 25 extends along the longitudinal axis A1 and has a length whichis nearly as long as the valve housing 20. Thus, with the outlet 22 andthe inflatable element 40 being positioned midway between the ends ofthe valve housing 20, the first pathway 25 fluidly connects the inlet 21and the fluid source 30 with the outlet 22 and the inflatable element40. The normally-closed valve element 23 may be provided as a variety ofshapes including a plunger or a bullet-shaped plunger, and may be seatedwithin the first pathway 25.

At an initial time, the normally-closed valve element 23 is positionedto at least block a flow of the pressurized fluid from the inlet 21 andthe fluid source 30 to the outlet 22 and the inflatable element 40.However, once the actuator housing 50 is actuated, the normally-closedvalve element 23 is moved along the first pathway 25 so as to permit theflow of the pressurized fluid from the inlet 21 and the fluid source 30to the outlet 22 and the inflatable element 40. The second pathway 26 iscommunicative with the first pathway 25 and is receptive of an end 510of an actuator housing plunger 51. At the initial time, the end 510 ofthe actuator housing plunger 51 blocks the movement of thenormally-closed valve element 23 along the first pathway 25 but, whenthe actuator housing 50 is actuated, the actuator housing plunger 51 ismoved such that the end 510 is withdrawn from the first pathway 25 alongthe second pathway 26 to permit that movement of the normally-closedvalve element 23 along the first pathway 25. The third pathway 27 isdefined through the body 24 from the first pathway 25 and leads to thebypass piping 64. Thus, the third pathway 27 provides for the portion ofthe pressurized fluid to be supplied to the solenoid valve 60 foreventual flow into the actuator housing 50.

The actuator housing 50 includes the actuator housing plunger 51 and aactuator housing plunger body 52. The actuator housing plunger body 52is elongate and extends along a longitudinal axis A2 (see FIG. 1). Thelongitudinal axis A2 may be transversely oriented with respect to thelongitudinal axis A1 and, in some cases, may be perpendicular withrespect to the longitudinal axis A1. The actuator housing plunger body52 has a first end, which is coupled to the valve housing 20 and whichis formed to define an aperture 520 through which the actuator housingplunger 51 extends, and a second end opposite the first end. Midwaybetween the first and second ends, the actuator housing 50 is formed todefine an interior region 53, through which the actuator housing plunger51 extends, an opening 54 through which the pressurized fluid flows fromthe solenoid valve 60 and into the actuator housing 50 and a vent 55.The interior region 53 is sealed by lateral wings of the actuatorhousing plunger 51, which are equipped with o-ring seals that engagewith interior sidewalls of the actuator housing 50, so that thepressurized fluid which flows into the actuator housing 50 through theopening 54 causes the actuator housing plunger 51 to move downwardly andthe end 510 to be withdrawn from the first pathway 25. The vent 55allows the pressurized fluid to be exhausted into the atmosphere fromthe interior region 53.

The solenoid valve 60 further includes a solenoid valve housing 65 andan elastic element 66. The solenoid valve housing 65 is supportive ofthe valve seat 61, the armature-valve element 62 and the electromagnet63. The solenoid valve housing 65 includes a solenoid valve housing body650 that extends along a longitudinal axis A3 (see FIG. 1). Thelongitudinal axis A3 may be transversely oriented with respect to orperpendicular with the longitudinal axis A2.

The solenoid valve housing body 650 has an outer shell and a core. Theouter shell is coupled to the actuator housing 50 at the opening 54 andmay be integral with the valve seat 61. The core sits within the outershell. At an end of the solenoid valve housing body 650 proximate to theactuator housing 50, the outer shell and the core cooperatively definean interior region 67. The interior region 67 is fluidly communicativewith a first central bore 68 and, in some cases, with a second centralbore 69. The first central bore 68 is defined through the core and leadsto the second end of the bypass piping 64 (illustrated in FIGS. 2-4).The second central bore 69 is defined through the valve seat 61. Theinterior region 67 is fluidly communicative with the second central bore69 when the plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ moves into the openposition relative to the valve seat 61 so that the pressurized fluid canflow from the interior region 67, through the second central bore 69 andinto the actuator housing 50. The elastic element 66 may be provided asa compression or torsion spring and is configured and disposed to biasthe plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ toward the valve seat 61. Tothis end, the elastic element 66 is sized such that its biasing effectis overpowered by electromagnetic forces applied to the plunger-typearmature-valve element 62′ by the magnetic flux produced by theelectromagnet 63 when the current is supplied thereto.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ includesa PL body 620, a valve seal 621 (see FIG. 2) and an armature 622. Thevalve seal 621 is disposed at a first end of the PL body 620 and isconfigured to form a seal with the valve seat 61 with the plunger-typearmature-valve element 62′ provided in the closed position. The armature622 is electromagnetically responsive to the magnetic flux generated bythe electromagnet 63 and is disposed at a second end of the PL body 620opposite the first end. The armature 622 includes a central slidingguide 623 (see FIG. 2), which may be integral with the armature 622, anda flat disk 624. The flat disk 624 is, in particular,electromagnetically responsive to the magnetic flux generated by theelectromagnet 63 and is disposed to define first and second air gaps G1and G2 with the core of the solenoid valve housing body 650 when theplunger-type armature-valve element 62′ is disposed in the closedposition. Conversely, when the plunger-type armature-valve element 62′is disposed in the open position, the flat disk 624 abuts the core ofthe solenoid valve housing body 650. The central sliding guide 623extends into and forms a seal with sidewalls of a bore defined in thecore of the solenoid valve housing body 650. The solenoid valve housingbody 620 is also formed to define through-holes 625 which extend throughthe central sliding guide 623 and the armature 622 such that the firstcentral bore 68 is fluidly communicative with the interior region 67even with the plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ moved into theopen position whereby the flat disk 624 abuts the core of the solenoidvalve housing body 650.

The core of the solenoid valve housing body 650 includes non-magneticmaterial elements 651, which are disposed between the electromagnet 63and the flat disk 624 of the armature 622. The magnetic flux generatedby the electromagnet 63 is thus directed through the non-magneticmaterial elements 651 so that it crosses the first and second air gapsG1 and G2 to reach the flat disk 624 and thus applies additiveelectromagnetic forces thereto.

In accordance with alternative embodiments and with reference to FIG. 5,the solenoid valve housing body 650 may be formed to define athrough-hole 6501 that the bypass piping 64 penetrates to allow theinterior region 67 to be fluidly communicative with the bypass piping64. In such cases, the PL body 620 does not define through-holes. Thus,when the plunger-type armature-valve element 62′ is moved into the openposition whereby the flat disk 624 abuts the core of the solenoid valvehousing body 650, an entirety of the fluid flowing through the bypasspiping 64 flows into the interior region 67 and then flows from theinterior region 67 into the actuator housing 50 via the second centralbore 69.

Pressure balancing for the embodiment of FIG. 5 is achieved by way ofthe O-ring seal 6502 which operates as a pressure balancing seal. TheO-ring seal 6502 reduces the net fluid pressure force the plunger-typearmature-valve element 62′ has to work with. Leakage through the O-ringseal 6502 is vented out through the poral filter 6503 and the vent-hole6504. The poral filter 6503 serves to prevent the entry of externalcontaminants into the interior region 67.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the pilot-type armature-valve element62″ includes a PI body 501, a valve seal 502, an armature shaft 503 thatsealably extends through a central core portion 504 of the valve housing60 and a piston head 505 to which a distal end of the armature shaft 503is coupled. The valve seal 502 is disposed at a first end of the PI body501 and is configured to form a seal with the valve seat 61 with thepilot-type armature-valve element 62″ provided in the closed position.The armature shaft 503 is electromagnetically responsive to the magneticflux generated by the electromagnet 63 and is disposed to extend from asecond end of the PI body 501 opposite the first end. With thepilot-type armature valve element 62″ provided in the closed position,the side of the piston head 505 remote from the armature shaft 503 formsa single air gap G3 with the solenoid valve housing body 650. The volumeof this single air gap G3 is reduced substantially when the pilot-typearmature valve element 62″ is provided in the open position as shown inFIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the PI body 501 is formed to define a channel 5010that is communicative with the bypass piping 64 which penetrates thesolenoid valve housing body 650 via the through-hole 6501 formedtherein. The piston head 505 is anchored to the elastic element 66.

When the electromagnet 63 is not supplied with current, the pilot-typearmature-valve element 62″ is biased to remain in the closed position bythe elastic element 66. However, when the electromagnet 63 is suppliedwith current, the armature shaft 503 is forced by the magnetic fluxproduced by the electromagnet 63 to move the pilot-type armature-valveelement 62″ into the open position in opposition to the bias applied bythe elastic element 66. In this open position, the volume of the singleair gap G3 between the piston head 505 and the solenoid valve housingbody 650 is substantially reduced and the portion of the pressurizedfluid supplied by the bypass piping 64 is received in the channel 5010,permitted to flow along a longitudinal axis of the PI body 501 throughthe channel 5010 and toward the opening 54.

Pressure balancing for the embodiment of FIG. 6 is achieved by way ofthe O-ring seal 6502 which again operates as a pressure balancing seal.The O-ring seal 6502 reduces the net fluid pressure force the pilot-typearmature-valve element 62″ has to work with. Leakage through the O-ringseal 6502 is vented out through the poral filter 6503 and the vent-hole6504. The poral filter 6503 serves to prevent the entry of externalcontaminants into the interior region 67.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the inflation system 10 may furtherinclude the controller 70 and, in some cases, the user actuated device80 mentioned above. The controller 70 may be configured to control whenthe electromagnet 63 is supplied with current and to cease the currentsupply to the electromagnet 63 once the actuator housing 50 is actuated.That is, the controller 70 may be operably coupled to the user actuateddevice 80, which may be provided as a button, for example, so that whenthe user actuated device 80 is actuated by a user, the controller 70permits the current to be supplied to the electromagnet 63. This willhave the effect of electromagnetically forcing the armature-valveelement 62 away from the valve seal 61 in opposition to the biasprovided by the elastic element 66 so that the portion of thepressurized fluid can flow from the inlet 21 and through the thirdpathway 27 to the bypass piping 64, from the bypass piping 64 throughthe valve housing 20 and the opening 54 to the interior region 53 of theactuator housing 50. The pressurized fluid in the interior region 53will then cause the actuator housing plunger 51 to move downwardly(i.e., the actuator housing 50 will be actuated) so that thenormally-closed valve element 23 can be moved along the first pathway 25to permit the flow of the pressurized fluid from the inlet 21 and thefluid source 30 to the outlet 22 and the inflatable element 40. As soonas the actuator housing plunger 51 is moved, the controller 70 willcease the supply of the current to the electromagnet 63 so that theelastic element 66 can once again move the armature-valve element 62into the closed position with respect to the valve seat 61.

With reference to FIG. 8, a method of operation the inflation system 10described above is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includesrecognizing that the inflation system 10 is activated or actuated by auser (block 801) and supplying the current to the electromagnet 63(block 802). As noted above, this will have the effect ofelectromagnetically forcing the armature-valve element 62 away from thevalve seal 61 in opposition to the bias provided by the elastic element66 so that the portion of the pressurized fluid can flow from the inlet21 and through the third pathway 27 to the bypass piping 64, from thebypass piping 64 through the valve housing 20 and the opening 54 to theinterior region 53 of the actuator housing 50. The pressurized fluid inthe interior region 53 will then cause the actuator housing plunger 51to move downwardly (i.e., the actuator housing 50 will be actuated) sothat the normally-closed valve element 23 can be moved along the firstpathway 25 to permit the flow of the pressurized fluid from the inlet 21and the fluid source 30 to the outlet 22 and the inflatable element 40.As soon as the actuator housing plunger 51 is moved, the method furtherincludes ceasing the supply of the current to the electromagnet 63 sothat the elastic element 66 can once again move the armature-valveelement 62 into the closed position with respect to the valve seat 61(block 803).

In accordance with embodiments, since the solenoid valve 60 is capableof repeated use due to its construction, the method may further includereplacing the fluid source 30 and the inflatable element 40 (block 804)and then reusing the solenoid valve 60 with the new components (block805). Alternatively, the method may include disassembling the solenoidvalve 60 from the actuator housing 50 (block 806), connecting thesolenoid valve 60 to an actuator housing 50 of another inflation system10 (block 807) and then reusing the solenoid valve 60 with the newinflation system 10 (block 808).

While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection with only alimited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that thedisclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, thedisclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of thedisclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosurehave been described, it is to be understood that the exemplaryembodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects.Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by theforegoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve assembly, comprising: a valve housing; anactuator housing coupled to the valve housing and configured whenactuated to open a normally-closed valve element in the valve housingwhereby pressurized fluid is permitted to flow through the valvehousing; and a solenoid valve comprising an armature-valve elementbalanced to remain in a closed position and an electromagnet whichgenerates magnetic flux that moves the armature-valve element into anopen position such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluidflows into the actuator housing to actuate the actuator housing.
 2. Thevalve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve housingcomprises: the normally-closed valve element; and a body having an inletconnectable with a fluid source and an outlet connectable with aninflatable, the body defining a first pathway connecting the fluidsource and the inflatable in which the normally-closed valve element isseated, a second pathway receptive of an actuator housing plunger and athird pathway by which the portion of the pressurized fluid is suppliedfor flow into the actuator housing.
 3. The valve assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the solenoid valve further comprises: a solenoid valvehousing which is supportive of the armature-valve element and theelectromagnet and which defines a central bore; and an elastic elementto bias the armature-valve element to remain in the closed position, theelastic element being sized to be overpowered by electromagnetic forcesapplied to the armature-valve element by the magnetic flux.